Strikes and protests against labour reform in France

Hundreds of thousands of workers and young people in France have taken
to the streets to protest a government reform to alter the 35-hour
workweek make it easier to hire and fire workers.

According to official figures about 390,000 people took part in the
protests. Unions however estimate the figure to 1.2 million. Workers
from many different sectors have also taken part in a nationwide strike
against the reform that many believe will reduce job security and
workers’ protection.

The government argues that the reform will help the economy and
create more jobs by making it easier for companies to both hire and lay
off workers. But protesters points to that the reform will only create
low paid jobs without basic security. Further, a new administrative
process has already made it easier for companies to lay off their
workers. That the reform is initiated by a socialist government elected
with the mandate to protect the rights of workers adds up to the
disappointment.

Analysts have also pointed to that the protests may be part of a
general disappointment of the situation in the country in general with
high unemployment particularly among young people (the unemployment rate
in France is at about 10 per cent and reaches to 29,5 per cent among
those aged 15 to 24.)